Small Business Grants: Where to Find Free Funding

Grants are a form of funding that doesn’t need to be repaid. They are offered by corporate entities, as well as government initiatives.

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Written by
Tara Mastroeni
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Written by
Lindsay VanSomeren
Updated February 14, 2025
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Starting or growing a business can be expensive and small business owners often have to look for funding from a variety of sources to achieve their goals. Small business grants can be an especially attractive type of financing because they offer access to funds that don’t need to be repaid.

However, finding viable grants is often one of the biggest challenges faced by small business owners searching for this type of funding. With that in mind, below is a list of some current grant programs to help you get started on your search.

On this page

Corporate small business grants

Businesses, associations, foundations, societies and other organizations may offer private grants for starting a business or growing it further. These private grants and awards often come with their own application requirements and are sometimes reserved for certain types of companies or those in specific industries.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grant

$4,000

Not specified

Apply on a rolling basis; applications are reviewed quarterly in April, July, October and January

Grant summary
The NASE offers grant funds to its members for things like covering marketing and advertising costs, hiring employees and expanding facilities.

Since 2006, NASE has awarded nearly $1 million in grants, suggesting they award multiple grants each year.

Eligibility requirements

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You must be an NASE member in good standing to apply. The following members may apply immediately upon receiving their membership:

  • Annual members
  • Veteran members
  • Silver members (paying annually)
  • Gold members

Meanwhile, the following members may apply after 90 days of membership:

  • Monthly members
  • Silver members (paying monthly)

How to apply

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You can apply by visiting the NASE grants and scholarships application page.

Venmo Small Business Grant

$20,000

10

Not yet announced

Grant summary
Venmo provides grant funds to help users take their small businesses to the next level, including investing in new products and expanding their workspaces.

Applications are currently closed. The 2024 application cycle ran from May 10, 2024, to May 31, 2024, and winners were announced in July. News on a potential 2025 grant has not yet been released.

Eligibility requirements

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In order to apply for the Venmo small business grant, you must meet the following qualifying criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have an active Venmo business profile in good standing
  • Own a small business that operates within the United States
  • Be able to provide any requested government documentation to show proof of business status
  • Be active and have sold at least $500 worth of goods or services within the three months prior to the grant period
  • Have fewer than ten employees or less than $50,000 in sales

How to apply

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Once the application opens, you can access it through the Venmo Small Business Grant page.

Amazon Small Business Grant

Up to $25,000

15

Not yet announced

Grant summary
Amazon provides grant funds and supplemental goods and services, like an Amazon Business Prime membership and Amazon Basics office supplies, to businesses making an impact in their communities.

Amazon gives out a total of 15 awards in the following amounts:

  • One $25,000 award
  • Four $20,000 awards
  • Ten $15,000 awards
Applications are currently closed. The 2024 application period took place in May 2024 and voting occurred in June. Information on any 2025 grants is not yet available.

Eligibility requirements

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To be eligible to receive grant funds, business owners must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state
  • Reside in the United States and have a business headquartered there
  • Be a current Amazon Business account holder with an annual revenue of $1 million or less
  • Be able to show proof of business registration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

How to apply

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Once this year’s application goes live, it will be available on the Amazon Small Business Grants website.

American Express Backing Small Business Grant

$10,000, with some businesses eligible for an additional $30,000

500 awards of $10,000 each, plus 25 additional $30,000 awards

Not yet announced

Grant summary
American Express partners with Main Street America to help provide financial support to independent small business owners who are serving their communities.

Applications are currently closed. The 2024 application period ran from March to April 2024, and the grant recipients were announced in June.

Eligibility requirements

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To qualify for American Express’s Backing Small Business Grant, you must:

  • Be a business owner who is at least 18 years of age or older
  • Run a business based in the U.S., with a brick-and-mortar storefront located in your area’s main street, downtown or commercial district
  • Be an independent business and not part of a franchise
  • Have 20 or fewer employees
  • Have at least a 12-month business history
  • Be in good standing with the state in which your business was formed and have an active business license if required by government regulations

How to apply

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While the 2025 application is not yet open, you’ll likely be able to get information on applying on the Backing Small Business Grant page.

Grants to start a business

Startup businesses often have unique challenges getting funding because some business loans and grants require applicants to have been in business for six months to a year. Fortunately, several small business startup grants are targeted to early-stage companies. Some are open only to specific demographics, so review the eligibility requirements carefully.

Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

$5,000

50

Not yet announced

Grant summary
This program awards 50 women a $5,000 grant for business education costs and provides access to 0% interest small business loans to cover other costs.

In addition to providing grant funds, this program also offers additional support, like business webinars and other educational tools, as well as collaboration from a fellowship cohort group and program alumni.

Applications are currently closed. The last application cycle ran from September to November 2024.

Eligibility requirements

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In order to qualify for the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a “woman entrepreneur” who owns and equal or majority stake in a woman-owned business
  • Be 21 years of age or older at the time of application cycle
  • Be proficient in English
  • Be a resident of the United States or one of its territories

In addition, your company must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a for-profit company in any industry
  • Be an early-stage company (one to five years in operation)
  • Generate revenue (minimum annual revenue of at least $75,000 preferred)
  • Be founded in the United States or a U.S. territory and operate there

How to apply

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When the 2025 application cycle opens, information will be posted on the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program website.

Bizee Fresh Start Business Grant

$2,500

Not specified

Not yet announced

Grant summary
Bizee’s grant funds are intended to help aspiring entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

In addition to the $2,500 grant toward business startup costs, winners also get free business entity formation services from Bizee.

Eligibility requirements

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Those interested in applying for Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant will need to meet eligibility criteria, including:

  • Be 21 years of age or older
  • Be a U.S. resident
  • Be planning to start a business or grow an existing business in a significant way

How to apply

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When applying, applicants must do the following:

  • Complete the online application found on the Bizee grant website
  • Submit a two-minute video explaining how your life will be impacted by the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship
  • Submit a sample business plan

HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant

$18,000

Not specified, but there were 10 recipients in 2024

Not yet announced

Grant summary
This grant is meant to help early-stage marketers and creative consultants access the tools, resources and training opportunities they need to accelerate their business growth.

Valued at $25,000, the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant package includes:

  • $18,000 to invest in your business
  • A three-year subscription to HoneyBook’s Premium Plan
  • System startup services provided by HoneyBook
Applications are currently closed but more information will be posted on the grant’s landing page when it’s available.

Eligibility requirements

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To be considered eligible for the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant, applicants must:

  • Be independent business owners who are selling a consultative service
  • Have an established digital presence
  • Be in business for fewer than three years
  • Have fewer than three employees
  • Make less than $100,000 in annual revenue
  • Be based in the United States or Canada, excluding Quebec
  • May not be an existing HoneyBook member

How to apply

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Interested business owners need to follow these steps to apply:

1. Fill out the initial interest form on the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant landing page
2. Wait for an email with follow-up questions and a link to the formal application
3. Submit a video or written response that shares your story and details how the grant would impact your business

Federal government grants for small businesses

You may be familiar with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the main agency tasked with helping small business owners find funding. However, there are also many other government small business funding options available, including:

USDA Rural Business Development Grant

No maximum

Not specified

February 28, 2025

Grant summary
The USDA works to promote economic development and job creation in rural areas by providing funding to eligible business and community projects.

While there is no maximum grant amount, smaller requests will be given priority.

Eligibility requirements

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To qualify for one of the USDA’s grants, your organization must:

  • Be a nonprofit, government entity, public body or Native American tribe
  • Serve an eligible rural area

(Need help navigating the map? Check out our guide on how to use the USDA loan map for more information.)

How to apply

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Get information on how to apply in your state on the USDA grant website.

Small Business Administration (SBA)’s America’s Seed Fund

$50,000 to $275,000

$400,000 to $1.8 million

Not specified

Varies by agency

Grant summary
The SBA’s America’s Seed Fund houses the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These programs connect entrepreneurs with federal funding for technological innovation and scientific research projects.

The grant awards $50,000 to $275,000 for proof of concept in Phase I. Some winners of Phase I grants may be eligible for a Phase II grant later, which can include $400,000 to $1.8 million for technology development.

Eligibility requirements

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To qualify for federal funding through America’s Seed Program, your business must:

  • Be a for-profit entity located in the United States
  • Have fewer than 500 employees (Most applicants have fewer than 10)
  • Be owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Read more details about the program’s specific eligibility requirements.

How to apply

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In order to receive funding, you need to apply with applicable participating government agencies. However, the SBA also partners with a number of local organizations that can help you prepare your proposals before you apply.

SBA’s Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)

$75,000 to $400,000

Not specified

Not yet announced

Grant summary
PRIME funds are meant to help support microenterprise development organizations or provide training and guidance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.

This grant fund gives out multiple awards, with amounts ranging from $75,000 to $400,000 each. Applications are currently closed. The 2024 application cycle ran from March to April.

Eligibility requirements

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To be considered eligible for PRIME funds, your business must be one of the following:

  • A private, state or public institution of higher education
  • A nonprofit organization other than institutions of higher education
  • A federally recognized Native American tribal government or non-federally recognized tribal organization
  • A special district government

How to apply

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When the application is posted, information will be made available on PRIME’s Grants.gov webpage.

 Want more federal grant options? Grants.gov has a search tool that can help you identify grant opportunities that could be a good fit.

Regional government grants for small businesses

Just like there are government grants at the federal level, state governments also offer grants for small businesses. These grants are usually available through state agencies, where the competition may be less fierce due to the smaller applicant pool. They can also run across several states, so check the fine print before ruling one out because it seems to be out of your area.

State Business Incentives Database

The State Business Incentives Database can be a valuable database for business owners. It has a map feature that allows you to select your state to see the number of grants available, plus find information on tax credits and exemptions.

However, it requires a login that is only available to members of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). A basic membership, which includes access to the database, costs $380 per year.

U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA can be an excellent resource for small businesses looking for state grants. The EDA collaborates with communities and regions to drive economic development across the country. It does so by offering grants and working directly with communities so they can encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

The research and work that go into applying for any business grant can be daunting, but an SBDC might be able to help. Business owners can use them to seek free consulting and training on various topics. SBDC consultants can help you find and apply for the right grants for your business.

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Centers

If you’re already an established business owner and a minority, you might be able to get help connecting with capital, contracts and other new opportunities to expand your business through a regional MBDA center. These centers provide entrepreneurship education for minorities of all backgrounds.

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Expanding into international markets can be intimidating to many small business owners, but it can also be one of the best ways to grow some types of small businesses. Another SBA offering, the STEP grant program offers funding to state agencies for educational and financial assistance in helping entrepreneurs go global. You can’t apply for a STEP grant directly since those funds go to state agencies, but you can follow the money to your relevant state agency to find out what support options are available.

Finding small business funding options in your state

Don’t forget to search your state government’s website for small business grants and assistance opportunities. Many operate their own small business funding programs as well. Here are a few examples:

Small business hardship grants

Hardship small business funding can take many forms in addition to grants. You may qualify for subsidized small business emergency loans, for example. Here are some of the top options for grant assistance during times of hardship:

Etsy Emergency Relief Fund

$2,000

Varies based on the amount of financing available at the time of need

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and grants are awarded monthly

Grant summary
Etsy partners with CERF+, a nonprofit organization that helps artists impacted by natural disasters, to assist Etsy sellers in need.

Eligibility requirements

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To be considered eligible for an Etsy Disaster Relief Grant, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the last year
  • Run a business located in a federally declared disaster area within the United States or one of its territories
  • Maintain a selling account on Etsy that’s been active for at least a year
  • Have an account in good standing, meaning that you have not violated any of Etsy’s policies and that you have a record of providing good customer service.

How to apply

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Interested applicants can apply by filling out the Etsy Disaster Relief Grant application form.

DoorDash & Hello Alice Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

$10,000

Not specified

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis; the submission period for this quarter ends on March 3, 2025

Grant summary
Hello Alice and DoorDash partner to deliver grants to restaurateurs who are impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events or major infrastructure failures.

Eligibility requirements

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Eligible restaurateurs will meet the following criteria:

  • Own a restaurant located in the United States or Puerto Rico (Restaurants in Australia, New Zealand or Canada may be eligible through a similar fund)
  • Have experienced revenue loss as a result of a natural disaster, severe weather event or major infrastructure failure within the last year
  • Operate a brick-and-mortar location
  • Own a maximum of three locations with fewer than 50 employees per location
  • Have been in business for at least six months
  • Have made less than $3 million in revenue per location within the last 12 months

A full list of terms and conditions is available on the Hello Alice website.

How to apply

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You’ll need to complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create a Hello Alice account
2. Complete the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund application

Specialty small business grants

Some small business grants are geared toward certain demographics. Here are a few curated lists of grants that serve specific communities:

How to get a small business grant

The process to get a small business grant is a lot like how to get a business loan. Remember that every grant will vary, so check the requirements before applying. The following is a general step-by-step guide you can follow to get started.

1. Review the program’s requirements

Each small business grant has different requirements that applicants need to meet to be considered for the grant award. Before applying for a grant, check that you meet the basic program requirements, including location, business size, industry and match requirements, if any. Some may even require that you have a membership to a specific organization before applying.

2. Gather your organizational documents

Once you know that your business falls into the right category (or categories) to apply for a grant, you’ll want to gather your documents. A business plan and a cover letter laying out why you’re applying for funds and how you plan to use them will most likely be required. You may also need the following:

  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • DUNS number
  • Revenue history
  • Organizational chart, including the number of employees
  • Bank statements
  • Tax returns
  • List of contracts your business holds
  • Location(s) information
  • Contact information

3. Complete the grant application

Lastly, you need to fill out the actual grant application, which is likely the most time-consuming part of the process. These applications typically require small business owners to answer open-ended questions, and application complexity can vary depending on the granting organization.

You might need to explain why you need the funds, your plan for the money if you win, the background of your business or how your business contributes to your community. These questions can be technical and specific depending on the grant you’re applying for, and they’re an opportunity to make sure your application stands out among the competition.

Business grants vs. business loans

The main difference between small business grants and small business loans is that loans need to be repaid, while grants generally do not. A small business loan needs to be repaid in the agreed-upon time with the agreed-upon interest rates and can require collateral. Loans usually come from a bank or a specific lender; some institutions, like the SBA, offer both loans and grants. Both types of funding may have rules about how funds can be used.

While loans and grants have stark differences, they can each benefit your business and might be useful during different times of your business’s life cycle. Startup business grants might help new businesses get on their feet, while business loans are typically for larger amounts and can be helpful for scaling your company. Startup businesses may find it difficult to get a loan without at least several months in operation and consistent revenue.

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Alternatives to small business grants

Applying for free grants to start a business or expand your current operation can be time consuming. If you don’t think your odds of getting a small business grant are worth the effort involved, it may be better to focus on other avenues for small business funding instead:

  • Small business loans: These may be hard to get for newer businesses or for business owners with bad credit or fluctuating income, but it’s the best way to obtain a large source of funds and build business credit.
  • Small business credit cards: These offer a convenient way for you and your employees to make business purchases, as well as earn rewards for your spending.
  • Crowdfunding for business: If you have a buzzworthy product, asking for funds upfront before launching a new product can often be a fruitful avenue to explore.
  • Peer-to-peer lending: Although this is becoming less common, peer-to-peer lending offers a way for small business owners to receive funds directly from investors.
  • Bootstrapping: Many entrepreneurs are forced by necessity to start their business from scratch, with whatever savings they have on hand — a recipe that can yield positive results for strong business ideas.